Scott M. Davidson - an Albuquerque, Texas Appeals (Civil and Criminal, Federal and State) Lawyer

Albuquerque Appeals (Civil and Criminal, Federal and State) Lawyer

Updated: 03/10/2026

Areas of Practice

Appeals (Civil and Criminal, Federal and State)
Post-Conviction Cases (Federal and State)
Expungements (New Mexico)
Criminal Defense (Federal and State)
Immigration Appeals

Attorney Information

Overview

I have an extensive background representing clients from across the United States and beyond in appellate and post-conviction cases in federal state courts.

In 2005, I founded Just Appeals, a boutique law firm of national scope, headquartered in the beautiful high desert city of Albuquerque.

My practice includes criminal appeals, post-conviction proceedings, complex federal multi-defendant criminal cases, Title III electronic surveillance litigation, expungement of criminal records, executive clemency proceedings, and immigration appeals in EOIR.

My legal experience spans two decades of federal and state trial and appellate litigation. From 1996 to 1998, I clerked at the New Mexico Supreme Court. From 1998 to 2000, I litigated federal multi-district class-action anti-trust and securities cases while an associate at Freedman Boyd Daniels Hollander Goldberg & Cline PA. In 2000, I joined the Federal Defender's office in New Mexico, where my practice focused on appellate and post-conviction cases on behalf of indigent criminal defendants in federal court.

My educational history includes advanced degrees from Yale University (Ph.D., M.A., M. Phil.) and the University of New Mexico School of Law (J.D.). I also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University, and also studied at Macalester College, Institut Méditerranéen, and King's College London.

My scholarly approach to the law is grounded in my extensive educational background and more than a dozen years of teaching experience in law and philosophy at Yale University, the University of New Mexico School of Law, and the University of South Carolina. Over the last two decades, I have contributed to professional publications and presented at legal seminars on a variety of topics in criminal law, civil law, immigration law, and related fields.

My firm, Just Appeals, the Law Office of Scott M. Davidson, is dedicated to offering a client-centered, research-based approach to mitigating or erasing the effects of prior convictions, and related types of cases. I personally handle each case and take the time to make sure clients understand every phase along the way. I recognize that these cases can be time consuming, emotionally draining, and costly. An appeal or post-conviction case is often the last chance to right a wrong and correct a miscarriage of justice. I have seen first hand that choosing the right lawyer to handle your case can be one of life's most important decisions.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Scott M. Davidson included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Top Lawyers in New Mexico, Highest in Ethical Standards and Professional Excellence, by The Legal Network
10 Best Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

Other Sources of Feedback About Scott M. Davidson

Included on the 2026 Southwest Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2025 Southwest Super Lawyers list
2024 Southwest Super Lawyers list
2021 Southwest Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1996
  J.D.
  Law Journal: Natural Resources Journal, Staff, 1994 - 1996
Non Legal Education
- Institut Méditerranéen, Fabrégues, France, 1986
- Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, 1984
  B.A.
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 1991
  Ph.D., M. Phil, M.A.
- King’s College, University of London, London, England, 1983
- Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1981

Current Employment Position(s)

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President
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Past Positions

Freedman Boyd Daniels Hollander Goldberg & Cline, P.A., Albuquerque, NM, Associate, 1998 - 2000
Supreme Court of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM, Judicial Law Clerk, 1996 - 1998

Classes and Seminars

University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, NM, 1994-96, 2006-08, 2010-12
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 1991-93
Yale University, 1985-91

Pro Bono Activities

Board Member, Ghost Ranch Governing Board, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2007 - 2013
Board Member, New Mexico Innocence and Justice project, 2008 - Present

Published Works

Articles

Editor, THE ELECTRONIC DIGEST OF NEW MEXICO CASES, 2007-2010
Editor, New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association’s Online Library of Briefs, 2008-2009
Research and Writing Specialist, Federal Public Defender, Albuquerque, NM, 2000-2005

Bar Admissions

Supreme Court of the United States of America
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
U.S. District Court District of Colorado
U.S. District Court District of New Mexico
U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, pro hac vice
U.S. District Court District of Wyoming
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, pro hac vice
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
New Mexico

Other Affiliations

State Bar of New Mexico Appellate Practice Section, - 2009 (Chair)
State Bar of New Mexico Appellate Practice Section, 2007 - 2012 (Board Member)
State Bar of New Mexico Appellate Practice Institute Committee, - 2007 (Chair)
H. Vearle Payne American Inn of Court, 2008 - 2012 (Barrister)
New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1998 - Present (Benefactor and Member)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2005 - Present (Member)
Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Past Member)
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Member)

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Contact

Albuquerque, NM

1011 Lomas Blvd NW
Suite 101
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Directions

Phone: 505-420-5365

Email: Send a message

Websites:

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations

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Scott M. Davidson - Albuquerque, NM